Biography

 

Tovah Ackerman

Tovah Ackerman

  • Alumni
  • United States
  • 2011 MPhil Criminology
  • Queens' College

I am honored to be studying criminology in Cambridge. I am particularly interested in narratives of criminality, particularly the dehumanizing rhetoric used to describe criminals in the U.S., e.g. calling them monsters, scum, beasts, etc. In my experience such language is often followed by espoused support for harsh punishment. I am curious whether a similar narrative of criminality exists in the U.K. and, if so, how such a narrative might relate to a national attitude on criminal punishment. I will be applying this year to PhD programs in the US and eventually would like to teach, research, and stay involved in non-profit prison reform organizations.